The Green Pet Shop does not endorse, suggest or recommend one company or whether you should get pet insurance. This page is to be used as reference and for information only.
If you're considering pet insurance, here are some resources to get you started.
Here are some sites that include Tips on Buying Pet Insurance overviews:
Some things to consider when shopping for pet insurance:
QUESTION
WHAT TO CHECK FOR
On what basis does the policy pay claims?
Insurance plans may pay flat amounts according to a benefits schedule. Or they may pay a percentage of what the insurer considers "usual and customary" fees, or a percentage of the vet's actual bill. "Usual and customary" may fall short of vets' actual charges. If the payments are based on the actual bills, check for any exceptions in the fine print.
What does the policy cover?
Typically, policies start with "blackout" periods during which nothing is covered. They also don't include pre-existing health issues. Many don't cover congenital, or inborn, conditions, behavioral issues or pregnancy costs. Some include hereditary conditions, while others don't.
What's your out-of-pocket cost going to be?
Deductibles may be paid on an annual basis, or levied anew each time your pet gets sick or injured. Total benefit payouts may be capped on a per-year basis or a per-incident basis.
What happens when you renew the policy?
Your premiums might rise based on the age of your pet, veterinary inflation, or possibly the claims filed for your pet. You'll also want to know if chronic illnesses the pet develops while it is insured will be covered after you renew the policy, or if they will be considered pre-existing conditions and thus not included going forward.
